1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of January 24, 2007.
* Appearances (Goals)

Robert "Bob" Stokoe (21 September 1930 – 1 February 2004) was an English footballer and manager who was able, almost uniquely, to transcend the traditional north-east rivalry between the region's footballing giants, Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Contents

Playing career

Born in Mickley, Northumberland, Stokoe began his footballing career at Newcastle United, playing the first of 288 games, usually as centre-half, on Christmas Day 1950. The highlight of his time at Newcastle was the 3–1 1955 FA Cup Final victory over Manchester City. After leaving Newcastle, Stokoe spent a short time playing for Bury before making the move into management.

Management career

Stokoe took the manager's post at Bury from 1961–1965, after which he moved south to take charge at Charlton Athletic from 1965–1967. There then followed three separate spells at Carlisle United (1968–1970, 1980–1983 and 1985–1986).

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Blackpool

Between spells at Carlisle, Stokoe managed Blackpool from 1970–1972. He was initially approached by the club in the summer of 1969, after the departure of Stan Mortensen. At the time, he declined, preferring to stay with Carlisle; just over eighteen months later, however, he became the ninth official manager in Blackpool's history.

With Blackpool relegated to the Second Division before he could get his feet under his desk, Stokoe began to clear out the "deadwood" and rebuilt the side more to his liking. Stokoe agreed to sell Tony Green to his old club, Newcastle, bringing striker Keith Dyson in the opposite direction.

Before the departure of Green, Blackpool enjoyed a successful venture into Europe, winning the Anglo-Italian Cup in June 1971. In the league, meanwhile, the Seasiders finished in sixth place. This still wasn't good enough for the fans, however, who became disenchanted with life outside the top flight again, and the club's style of play under Stokoe was not to their liking.[citation needed]

Another successful run in the Anglo-Italian Cup the following season (losing finalists to Roma) kept the critics at bay, but the feeling around Bloomfield Road was that the 1972–73 campaign would be critical.[citation needed]

Stokoe's third season at Blackpool started well enough when, with the team reasonably placed for a promotion push and having stated that he intended to remain at the seaside for five years,[citation needed] he left the club. He had been lured back to his native north-east by Sunderland.

Sunderland

Stokoe took over as manager of Sunderland on 23 November 1972 and six months later led them to their first FA Cup win since 1937. Stokoe took the Second Division club to Wembley and defeated the powerful Leeds United team packed with international players. None of the Sunderland players had been capped at the highest level when they lifted the cup, although some were capped later. The side finished 6th that season and narrowly missed promotion in the following two seasons.

In 1975–76, he guided the Mackems to the Second Division title. He left Sunderland the following season after they struggled in the First Division.

Later years

In May 1978, Stokoe returned to Blackpool with the club in dire straits. Under the managership of Allan Brown they had been relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history and were looking for someone who could rebuild a once-proud playing tradition. He guided them to a mid-table finishing position, and then resigned again before the start of the 1979–80 season.

There then followed spells with Rochdale (1979–1980) and Carlisle United (1980–1985 and 1985–1986). He led Carlisle to promotion to the Second Division in 1982, and in the 1983-84 season they became promotion contenders before a poor run saw them finish 7th.

Towards the end of the 1986–87 season, he was appointed temporary manager of Sunderland as they struggled in the Second Division. They narrowly lost on goal difference in the end-of-season relegation-promotion playoffs and were relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history. His contract was not renewed and he retired from football.

Death

After his death in 2004, at the age of 73, the respect offered by both rival fan groups of Newcastle United and Sunderland was marked by their attendance at his funeral at Prudhoe, Northumberland. The Reverend Neil Cockling, who conducted the service, told mourners: "He will be remembered by all as a real gentleman. Such was Bob's standing that we can see Sunderland and Newcastle here together today to celebrate his life."[1]